Eric Clapton recently allowed a camera crew into his London home for an intimate talk. The purpose was to demonstrate a new series of high-priced, limited-edition reproductions of some of his most famous guitars, which will be sold to benefit his Crossroads Centre in Antigua.

These fascinating videos take you inside the head of EC’s desire for that “beat up” strat and the secret to the success of today’s relic guitar market as the old, beat up, worn-out patches on a maple fretboard were a sign to Clapton that the guitar was “well favored” by the previous player — and hence, a more desirable instrument to play.

I have always questioned the logic behind plunking thousands of dollars on the counter at my local Guitar Center so that I could own the latest relic “copy” of a famous players axe. But now I know why EC favored them…at least the originals.

Watch for yourself – the stretch I am referring to comes up at the 1:45 mark:

The series of video interviews goes even deeper when Eric reflects about the Beatles, Cream, Les Paul and His Musical Roots. The full set of videos can be watched by [CLICKING HERE].

On the heels of a sold-out Crossroads Guitar Festival and the announcement of a major world tour, Eric Clapton announced today the release of his 21st studio album and his first album since 2010.

Eric Clapton – Old Sock

The album, OLD SOCK produced by Eric Clapton, Doyle Bramhall II, Justin Stanley and Simon Climie, features two new original songs “Every Little Thing” and “Gotta Get Over.”

OLD SOCK will be released March 12 on Clapton’s Bushbranch label, distributed through a new collaboration with SurfDog Records in the USA and Canada, and released by Polydor Records in the rest of world.

The new album is a collection of some of Clapton’s favorite songs spanning from his childhood to present day that highlights his vast appreciation and knowledge of music. From Leadbelly to J.J. Cale; Peter Tosh to George Gershwin; Hank Snow to Gary Moore and Taj Mahal, this record is a celebration of so many who have inspired Clapton’s rich musical life. Clapton has always had a remarkable ability to recognize great songs and a gift for knowing how to uniquely interpret them, as he does on Old Sock. The album explores romantic standards of the 30’s, reggae, soul, rock, and includes a stand out playful collaboration with Paul McCartney, to create an experience that is quintessential Clapton.

Clapton assembled a band for the recordings consisting of longtime collaborators Steve Gadd (drums), Willie Weeks (bass) and Chris Stainton (keyboards) along with some surprise guest additions. JJ Cale joins the song “Angel” for backing vocals and guitar, Chaka Khan joins as backing vocalist for “Get On Over,” Steve Winwood on the Hammond B3 Organ on “Still Got The Blues,” Paul McCartney on bass/vocals on “All of Me,” Jim Keltner on drums for “Our Love is Here To Stay”.

TRACK LISTING
1. Further On Down The Road
2. Angel
3. The Folks Who Live On The Hill
4. Gotta Get Over
5. Till Your Well Runs Dry
6. All Of Me
7. Born To Lose
8. Still Got The Blues
9. Goodnight Irene
10. Your One and Only Man
11. Every Little Thing
12. Our Love Is Here To Stay

The December/January issue of Guitar Aficionado features Eric Clapton on the cover and a look at some of the iconic guitars auctioned by Eric Clapton for his Crossroads Centre.

Guitar Aficianado – Eric Clapton

The issue is still on the newsstand where guitar magazine titles are sold ‘en mass so if you don’t have this one…run, don’t walk, to your closest Barnes and Noble.

Eric Clapton’s contributions as a guitarist and musician are widely praised and celebrated, but his impact on the guitar industry is too often overlooked. It’s true that Clapton was never a brash innovator or mad musical scientist like Les Paul, Jimi Hendrix, or Eddie Van Halen, each of whom caused generations of guitarists to rethink the instrument, but he has nonetheless played an almost unparalleled role in influencing guitar sales for the past half century.

Tom’s “Art That Rocks” print collection includes Limited Edition prints from original oil paintings of many famous Blues and Rock guitarists and bands – all available for immediate purchase and shipment!

Limited Edition prints are still available of this amazing Eric Clapton artwork! Contact Tom Noll directly to inquire about ALL art prints for sale.

Note: GuitarDaddy owns several of Tom’s prints and recommends them highly!

Caleb Quaye has a worldwide reputation as a signature lead guitar player since the late 60’s and early 70’s.

He is known most notably as Elton John’s original lead guitarist having played on all the “early stuff”, as well as numerous studio sessions for many other name artists.

Over the years, Caleb has played with Harry Nillson, The Beach Boys, Joan Baez, Al Kooper, David Foster, John Klemmer, Eddie Henderson, Dusty Springfield, Liza Minnelli, Brenda Russell, Joan Baez, Ralph McTell, Pete Townsend, The Troggs and Hall & Oates… to name just a few.

Several years ago, David Letterman asked his guest Eric Clapton: “So what’s it like to be the best guitar player in the world?” Clapton replied, “I’m not. Caleb Quaye is!”

Today, Caleb travels the world sharing his music and talent with the the emerging generation of gospel musicians and worship leaders, mentoring them in their musical and leadership development.

I had the opportunity to see Caleb play LIVE at the NAMM Show in Anaheim last month at one of their late night concerts. I had heard Caleb play before and knew it would be a great event so I went early to grab a spot of the front row.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have my video camera with me… but fortunately… another YouTube member did. They uploaded the concert a few days ago.

Caleb has blended Jazz, Rock and Fusion into a style that all players can appreciate. A very humble man, with an amazing touch on the strings. Check this out:

Charles Williams on Keyboards – who has performed or recorded with such artists as Philip Bailey, Andrae Crouch, Billy Davis and Marilyn McCoo, Stephanie Mills, Deniece Williams, The Midniters, Ry Cooder and Los Lobos, to name but a few.

Robert “Pee Wee” Hill on Bass – an outstanding bass player and longtime friend of Caleb’s has performed or recorded with Billy Preston, Sly Stone, Jimmy Smith, Rufus, Chaka Kahn, Bob Dylan, T-Bone Burnett.

The band recently released “All the Way Live”,which closely tracks their NAMM show set. Check it out on iTunes by clicking the image of the CD cover.

For those of you who love music that grooves with a commonality of faith, heart and spirit among the musicians, this set may be just what the doctor ordered to put some pep in your step! And some joy in your day because it was recorded all the way live!

A few weeks back, I posted 2 video tributes from YouTube that were played live and in concert honoring the late Gary Moore.

One was from Eric Clapton and the other was from Joe Bonamassa. Both were stellar ovations of the blues legend.

Shortly after they were posted, a comment was added to each by user “Damian”. The comments were both very well stated and worthy of re-publishing for those who do not follow TheGuitarBuzz comments.

While I am sure that these comments were not intended to stir up a lot of heated controversy, they did included enough direct commentary to ruffle a few E-strings. Lets agree to take them in the spirit of how they were written…full of passion, emotion, sincerity and from the heart of a guitar player still struggling with the loss of Gary Moore. We all know that he was taken from us way too soon…

I suspect he played it acoustically because he couldn’t pay it justice electrically. I’m kinda pleased that at long last Clapton has acknowledged Gary, but it’s too little too late. It’s angered me for years that he never said a word about him when he was alive, never invited him on stage, (despite playing with every other blues player imaginable), never invited him to the Crossroads festival, and never even uttered his name in interview. He obviously had a problem with Gary, a man who only ever paid due reverance to Clapton, and constantly sang his praises and acknowedged his influence. Perhaps he felt Gary had “stolen his thunder” when “Still Got the blues” went stellar. Perhaps he felt Gary wasn’t “authentic” enough, as he’d been playing Rock for 2 decades. Perhaps he felt Gary had “humiliated” BB and the 2 Alberts by “blasting them off stage”, (despite the fact all three of them expressed their love for Gary’s playing). Perhaps he simply knew what we all did…that Gary was better than him at playing the style of blues he made famous. Whatever the reason, I’ll resent Clapton for the fact for the rest of my days, and this little tribute smacks to me of a guilty conscience. Gary would’ve been overjoyed had Clapton done this while he was alive. No point now!– Comment by Damian, 6-11-11

So pleased that Joe did this. He has always acknowledged Gary as an influence and it was great to hear that they were beginning to forge a friendship, though they only had an opportunity to meet 2 or 3 times. Gary is my all time favourite, and Joe has become second in line in the last 5 years, so this really touches me, though it is obviously tinged with sadness and regret that we will never get to see the 2 of them share a stage together, which I feel sure would have happened at some point. How GREAT would that have been!?– Comment by Damian, 6-11-11

The best way for me to end this post is to include yet another tribute video – this one from the legendary bass player Jack Bruce, joined by Joe Bonamassa.

Eric was quoted to say: “This album wasn’t what it was intended to be at all. It’s actually better than it was meant to be because, in a way, I just let it happen. It’s an eclectic collection of songs that weren’t really on the map—and I like it so much because if it’s a surprise to the fans, that’s only because it’s a surprise to me, as well.”

The ultimate Eric Clapton collaboration took place earlier this year at the “CROSSROADS GUITAR FESTIVAL 2010” on June 26 at Chicago’s Toyota Park.

For one day only, Clapton gathered the past, present, and future of guitar music onto one stage for an incredible all-day musical event in front of a crowd of over 27,000.

The third Crossroads Guitar Festival was a sold out, 11-hour tour de force with all profits benefiting The Crossroads Centre in Antigua, a treatment and education facility founded by Clapton for chemically dependent persons.

Rhino Entertainment captured every epic note from that blistering summer day in Chicago and will release over 4 hours in High Definition on “CROSSROADS GUITAR FESTIVAL 2010.” Fans around the world will have a chance to experience many of the festival’s greatest moments including performances by Clapton, ZZ Top, Steve Winwood, B.B. King, Jeff Beck, Vince Gill, Sheryl Crow, Buddy Guy, John Mayer, Bill Murray, and many others as well as behind-the-scenes footage and candid interviews with the performers.